Tuesday, October 20, 2009

I would like to be a scientist. So I need... - Markers - Paper - A case of rubber bands - A computer that will fit in my pocket with games that just play and you don't have to wait for them to download - Gloves (winter and scientist gloves) - Ipod (in blue, of course) - Ipod charger (‘cause it won't work without one and if it dies I need a charger to help it) - Snuggie and pillow pet (but don't ask Grandma 'cause I think she wants to get me one) - Lego cool doors and windows and stuff - A puppy (but it has to be bigger than my cats - unless you take my cats, then it can be any size) - 8 or more bakugans - Pizza lunchables, at least 6 - we eat lunch EVERY day - Different color paper - red, blue, orange, pink (for when the brain explodes because I am a scientist), and yellow and green and black (for the heart) -White paper for bones - Scissors for cutting the bones - wii games - Water (in case I get thirsty) - Chocolate covered strawberries or the chocolate for Dad to do it - the 3rd X-Men movie - New shoes – ‘cause I need z-straps and school shoes - Winter hat (‘cause I already have a Star Wars hat from when I fought the real Darth Vader from the movies and didn’t die) - A tent with Darth Vader’s picture - Gardening supplies – like seeds and flowers - Helmet for Buzz Lightyear costume for next Halloween that can slide up and down like the real Buzz LIghtyear - The Buzz Lightyear yogurts for my school lunches - Sticky foam and tracers - Magnets for our refrigerator - Hairbrush - Magnifying glass - Ninja turtle toy – WITH movie - Picture frame with a little stand thing - Drumset and electric guitar

My mom needs - A house with more than one bathroom - Catfood - More Halloween decorations

Everyone needs - Sunscreen - Water - More cheese (‘cause we may run out) - Apples, bananas, and strawberries (so Dad can dip them in chocolate)

Thanks Santa – I know you will never die ‘cause God made you that way.

Monday, October 12, 2009

We saw Toy Story and Toy Story 2 and he made it through both movies with flying colors. (He even tried to get me to take him to another one.)

I really am thrilled that he is growing up and is so much fun to hang out with... but I miss the little Matt who couldn't sit still if we crazy-glued his pants to a chair. Sigh, growing up is hard (on the parents).

Friday, October 2, 2009

I had to bring the kids to work with me for a few hours this morning. It was the first time I had ever attempted it - it wasn't the end of the universe.

Matt quickly settled into his breakfast and coloring in the conference room where there is a tv with the Disney Channel. Don't ask me why we have the Disney Channel at work, I don't even know why we have a tv. The last time we turned it on was to watch the inauguration and I don't think it was ever used before then.

Molly quickly finished her breakfast and began looking for things to do. She completely cleaned my office! It hasn't been that clean since... well, I have no idea when - it looks GREAT!

All too quickly (for them), Andrew came to pick them up and their adventure in my office was over. Although, it wasn't until much later in the day when I went to make sure that the conference room was as clean as the kids had found it - I found this great little present on the whiteboard...

Saturday, September 19, 2009

This is a true family tradition in my house, the Halloween Candy Dish Witch (say that 5 times fast - LOL).

Approximately 35 years ago, my mother saw this craft in BH&G or Woman's Day or some other magazine just like that and made this...

Yes, this is the original glass Mom made many moons ago and she put it out in her house every year for Halloween until about 5 years ago when she passed the torch to me. I have happily carried on the tradition.

I have no idea what kind of glue she used but those are the original googly eyes and construction paper mouth (and they are cemented to the glass). ;)

Next you need to make her a hat...

I cut two different size circles, cut a slit in one to fold it into a cone, and stapled/glued together to make her hat. I also added a piece of orange ribbon as a hat band and curly ribbon in several colors for hair (my Mom used to make her hair from drinking straws).

Fill her with candy (usually we use candy corn, but I didn't have any in house). Luckily, I did have some gross-looking gummy worms.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Anyone who knows Matt, knows the boy is obsessed with superheroes! I couldn't let him grow up without a decent cape - seriously, what kind of mother would I be. ;)

Looking in my magical craft closet, I found a couple of yards of felt (that I am sure I bought for some wonderful project idea, which was forgotten and never came to be) and I was off. I worked without a pattern. I just held the felt up to Matt and trimmed it to fit. (The picture below shows the final shape.) I then went to Google and found Superman and Batman's logos to copy...

I think they were a huge hit with Matt!

Now I am off to make a few more (for the JK and Kindergarten rooms' dress-up corners.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Matt felt that the ABC vinyl wall stickers around his room were "too babyish" for him (his words, not mine) and that he would like "superhero walls". I gave him the typical Mom response "let me think about it" and promptly forgot all about it.

UNTIL...

Standing on line at the Post Office a couple of weeks ago, they had these great superhero stamp postcards on sale!

I found these removeable wall mounting tabs and hung the post cards around his room...

Matt jumped up and down and screamed - he was SO EXCITED! He has only told me about 45 times this weekend how much better his room is. May he always be this easy to please!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

I planned on sending my children back to public school this week and in a period of 24 hours changed my mind and re-enrolled them at St. T's. This feels like the right decision in so many ways (except for in my pocketbook). I have spent my entire week filling out forms, driving around New Haven and gathering information.

Molly and Matt took the change in stride and dealt with it far better than I ever could.

Here are the kids heading off to the official first day of 4th Grade/JK orientation...

...of course, Cookie came along!

Matt's orientation went well...

Although, apparently he and Ryan thought the bagpipes in Chapel were WAY too loud!

Friday, August 21, 2009

We threw the kids in the car this morning and headed out to the Boston Museum of Science. After a few wrong turns (stupid iPhone GPS), we arrived. The kids worked their way through every exhibit - what amazed me most is the way they were both able to enjoy the exhibits differently. Matt would be immediately drawn to what ever puzzle, computer, hands-on thing he could find and Molly would find the more involved problem-solving exhibits and read every sign she could find.

We had planned to spend the morning there and then head over to the Boston Children's Museum, as you can see from the picture of the outside of the museum - we didn't leave until well after dark.

We are already planning our next trip (which I am sure will include the Harry Potter exhibit opening this fall).

Saturday, August 15, 2009

I am off to a 40th birthday tonight (and the invitation said NO PRESENTS). We couldn't show up empty handed and decided to put together a little something for the guest of honor.

40th Birthday Survival Kit Poem (which is a compilation of several I found over the Internet)

Surviving 40

40 pennies - for 40 good wishes40 paperclips - to hold things together 40 Hershey kisses - to use at your discretion 40 rubber bands - to remind you to give tight hugs40 sheets of paper - to write the next chapter in your life 40 toothpicks - to pick out the good in everyone/thing40 garbage bags - to get rid of old garbage/baggage40 marbles - spares for when you lose your own40 erasers - to wipe out mistakes you've made40 lollipops - for when life sucks 40 matches - to light your way

Happy Birthday!

I collected 40 of each item (the dollar store was GREAT for this) and made up little bags of items. I didn't bag the Hershey Kisses and used them as "filler".

I bought a clear plastic paint can (at Michaels), decorated with paper and stickers, then filled the can with the little "gifts".

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

The Music Man has been a fun ride. There have been MANY ups and downs over the past 8 months as we talked about/worked on/performed The Music Man and in many ways I am as happy to see it go as I am sad.

The time has come for me to take a step back again and spend time with my family, but I miss working with the incredibly talented and special people who have been working tirelessly to make the show happen.

It goes without saying that I cried many times closing night. The cast bought me (and the producer and stage manager) a charm bracelet for us with a goat (Sound of Music) and a coronet (The Music Man). They then pointed out that there was room to fill the bracelets with many more shows together - we just may take them up on that. The things they said about us were so very nice - it was really overwhelming.

Then we had to say goodbye to a dear, dear friend - he says he may be back next summer to be in the show - I am having a hard time imagining this show without him. He has been the best Music Director anyone could ask for and (more importantly) he always remained neutral whenever Mo and I were not seeing eye-to-eye.

The notes and letters I received tonight from cast and crew members reminded me why I turn my life upside down for months... because, although I often get caught up in how the show affects me and my life, it is way bigger than that. This very young theater group is affecting people's lives in many different ways... it could be introducing them to a new church that is radically welcoming, helping someone remember who they really are, whole families working towards a goal together (including teenagers), or just showing someone they may have a hidden talent.

Thanks to the cast and crew. Thanks for the memories and the reminder that there is a ripple effect to everything we do. Goodnight, my someone...

Saturday, August 8, 2009

My father had triple by-pass surgery this Thursday. He has been recovering quite well and the kids have been begging to go see him. Since he is out of the ICU and only has an IV still attached to him - Andrew and I figured this was as good a time as any to take the kids down to the hospital.

Molly, my surgeon in-training, was very quiet when she saw Grandpa. He offered to show off his scar and told her that they even closed him up with superglue instead of a needle and thread or staples, but she was really taken aback by the fact that this wasn't something on the Discovery Channel - this was real and this was her Grandpa. She just stood at the end of his bed and never took her eyes off of him.

Matt, on the other hand, was a little braver and ventured a little closer to him. Just close enough to touch the IV tubing and then run back to his chair. After doing this a couple of times, Grandpa asked him if he was okay. Matt didn't answer. Instead, he whispered in his Dad's ear, "how can I be okay, my Grandpa is hurt".

That kid never ceases to amaze me. He is the roughest kid on the planet - jumping around and bouncing off of the walls without even slowing down, but his heart is SO big that the thought of his Grandpa being hurt stops him in his tracks. I love that boy!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Last few dress rehearsal photos. The show starts on Friday. I can't wait - these people have worked so hard and they are so ready for this. Here's hoping the weather cooperates (since our church isn't air-conditioned).

Friday, July 24, 2009

The deeper into summer we get, the more creative we become in finding ways to keep our kids eating well.

Andrew found these in a kids cookbook (although I have also seen them on many recipe websites). But here is our super-duper easy sushi rolls...

Cut the crust off of a piece of bread. Roll the bread thin. Put on whatever filling you like (in our house we like PB&J or Turkey). Roll the bread and filling up. Slice into "sushi-sized" pieces. Serve with chopsticks. Ridiculously easy - yes, but the kids love it.